WWE NXT General Manager William Regal announced at tonight's TV tapings that Mickie James will return to the company at "Takeover: Toronto" on November 19th during Survivor Series weekend.
The former Women's Champion will be facing NXT Women's Champion Asuka.
As seen below, Stephanie McMahon is featured in Variety's "Power of Women" report. They wrote the following on her:
As a member of the first family of Wrestling — she is the daughter of chairman & CEO Vince McMahon — one would expect showmanship to be in McMahon's blood. But it was her business savvy that made her a true superstar for WWE. The exec credits her experience with WWE as a valuable teaching tool for her success behind the desk.
"Live television, in front of an arena filled with thousands of people teaches you a lot about psychology, poise, and thinking on your feet," she says.
McMahon went on to head WWE's creative writing team. Now as the WWE's first-ever chief brand officer, McMahon is a key figure for the organization, a global brand ambassador and spokesperson who builds partnerships and growth opportunities for the group. "[I became] responsible for generating awareness and positive brand perception for WWE," she says. "In this role I have the ability to contribute in a bigger way than I ever have before; educating consumers and the marketplace on the true value of fulfilling our mission of putting smiles on people's faces." In addition to her pivotal role within the WWE, McMahon, along with husband Triple H, helped create Connor's Cure, a campaign designed to fund pediatric cancer research named for an 8-year-old fan who died of medulloblastoma cancer. The effort leverages the popularity of the WWE by using its audience to raise awareness. "Connor's Cure began at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where Connor was treated, and we have now expanded our efforts nationally by partnering with The V Foundation. To date, we have raised more than $1 million and helped more than 100 families."
Tomorrow, October 14th marks the 30th anniversary of the car accident that ended Terry Allen's professional wrestling career. In an EXCLUSIVE interview on The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling, the man known as Magnum relives the tragic accident that abruptly cut short what could have been one of the greatest wrestling careers of all time. In this preview clip Magnum TA shares with John and Chad how he has overcome such adversity and gone on to live a long life following an incident that he rightfully admits he was lucky to be alive following. Tomorrow also is the release date for Highspot's BRAND NEW documentary on the life and career of Magnum TA entitled 'I Never Quit' the Magnum TA story available on DVD and digital download. The full episode of TMPT will be available on Friday as well.
Why is Magnum not "bitter" about the fate he suffered and his career being cut short:
"I like to think God has a plan for everybody's life. I am a man of faith and I don't go preaching the gospel like some of my friends have that I admire but I've tried to live my life by a certain creed and when the rubber meets the asphalt and with some of my friends who I have grown to respect the proof is in the pudding of what you deduce. This life goes by in a nano-second. I had the privilege of doing something that not 1% of this population in the whole world would come close to being able to achieve and had I got to be multi time World's Heavyweight Champion and twenty times this and that or the other and all that stuff it really at that point in time is just self-gratifying because it becomes ego driven. You get great enjoyment in it and entertaining people and all that, (but) it hit me when I was in that hospital. I had been given the honor of playing this hero and this character that I had been able to develop and bring to the world and all of a sudden I've got hundreds of thousands of people that really cared about me, about Terry Allen, about Magnum TA as a human being."
"It hit me that we all, whether we realize it or not; if you are on TV every Saturday night are role models who impact the lives of others and I decided right then and there that I was going to do everything in my power to not let this thing beat me. I've always been and tried to be a man's man and tried to show a certain work ethic and I wanted to be in real life some semblance of what I had been able to represent to those wrestling fans. I felt that was my way to give back because people come to wrestling to escape reality and they are able to live their dreams vicariously through you and now they all see one of their heroes fallen and we all have things in life that we can't control but it is what we choose to do with that adversity that really defines us. So I decided that I truly was not ever going to quit or give up and that I was far from perfect and made countless poor judgments and decisions over the past thirty years but no matter what I will not quit and not give up."
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart had some harsh words for The Fabulous Freebirds in a recent Forbes interview, and below is an excerpt of what Hart had to say:
“Why have they been overlooked when you can induct the Freebirds, who never did squat in WWE? Ever. Never drew any money, never did anything. When I remember the Freebirds, they were all drunk and passed out at the gate at one of the airports in my first day in WWF. None of them even made the show that day, they were too drunk to make their plane.”
Hart has since apologized to Michael “PS” Hayes, as he posted the following on Facebook:
I’d like to take this opportunity to formally apologize to Michael Hayes. A while back I made comments about the Freebirds not being as worthy of being in the WWE Hall of Fame as others. It was unfair for me to dismiss their contributions to the industry and they certainly did great things in Texas with the Von Erich Family. Michael Hayes always treated me with great respect, as did Terry Gordy, Ronnie Garvin and Buddy Roberts and I’m sorry if I disrespected any of them with my comments. Furthermore I apologize to both Triple H and Seth Rollins for any hurtful comments I made on my podcast. The reality of all this is the reason I quit doing podcasts in general, because they’re for the most part an outlet for negativity, and have left me with a reputation as being angry and bitter. I’m not, I’d spoke candidly and openly but it’s no excuse for minimizing other wrestlers or their contributions. In saying all that, I still believe Jim the Anvil Neidhart of the Hart Foundation, including Owen, Brian Pillman, Davey Boy Smith, The Dynamite Kid, Jimmy Hart, The Rougeau Brothers, The Killer Bees, The Demolition, Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, and One Man Gang all deserve their place in the WWE Hall of Fame. My apologies to all. Bret Hart x
TNA President Billy Corgan filed a lawsuit against Impact Wrestling, parent company Impact Ventures LLC, TNA Chairman Dixie Carter, TNA Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead and Dixie's husband Serg Salias in Chancery Court in Nashville on Wednesday.
A temporary restraining order was approved and Corgan filed a bond to support it today. A hearing for a temporary injunction has been scheduled for Thursday, October 20th at 11:30am local time. Corgan has requested a six-person jury to decide the case.
Regarding the TNA sale, Aroluxe and Billy Corgan are still involved in trying to make the purchase but one unidentified party that was previously involved is no longer interested as they do not feel a deal is worth it. WWE has also apparently lost interest as they have backed out.
The most recent set of Impact Wrestling tapings were the first that saw Billy Corgan have the final say in creative decisions. However, nothing long-term has been decided on, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, but changes have to happen imminently. We noted before that Dixie Carter was in attendance for the tapings and did hold a talent meeting but she wasn't there for the final days of the tapings and was reportedly having meetings with The Fight Network, which also owns a small stake in TNA.
Things between Dixie and Corgan have reportedly gone really bad and things are said to be "super heated" between Dixie, Corgan, Aroluxe and John Gaburick. It was noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Dixie has made a real mess of the company between borrowing money and putting up various stakes in the company just to get quick funding. It was said that the company is in a "disastrous position" right now. There is also heat on Dixie for deals not getting done and nearly falling apart.
TNA still owes money to many people and continues to deal with other financial issues but right now they're not faced with another deadline for money until January and that's when they have some international TV revenue coming from.
There's still no word yet on where TNA got the money for the most recent tapings but it was not WWE, which has been rumored. Some higher-ups in TNA still don't know who funded the tapings but speculation is that it was one of the three minority owners - Corgan, Aroluxe or The Fight Network.
Regarding WWE no longer being interested in the tape library, Gaburick did go to WWE's Kevin Dunn with the idea of a package where WWE would hire Gaburick if he got them the tape library deal. Dunn reportedly went to Vince McMahon with the idea but it looks like the deal won't be happening. The Observer notes that WWE's involvement has been up and down for weeks.
In a statement released to the New York Post today, WWE responded in the strongest possible terms:
“Saraya-Jade Bevis tested positive for an illegal substance, not a prescription drug. In addition, WWE is providing world-class medical care for her in-ring injury.”
This continues the very public battle between the two sides, one that doesn’t appear as though it will end anytime soon. Paige had previously stated she has no plans on leaving WWE.
Former HLN host Nancy Grace is no stranger to pro wrestling fans as her show covered various wrestling related deaths over the years. Most recently, wrestling fans called for Nancy's show to be canceled back in 2014 when she brought on Diamond Dallas Page for an interview and tried tying all wrestler deaths to steroid use. Page later told RadarOnline that Grace ambushed him:
"I was asked to go on her show and talk about Warrior the man. I was even given bullet points from her producers about the topics we would discuss. After seeing the topics which were pretty basic. I felt it would be great to go on and discuss the legend he was and how I got to know him. With that being said, I wanted to share a story that when Warrior came back to wrestling back in the WCW days he sat myself and Bill Goldberg down and said he was watching all the fun we were having and wanted to be a part of it again. To hear him tell me that was the coolest thing. The Ultimate Warrior returning to wrestling because he was watching our stuff? How awesome is that! Fast Forward 18 years later to this past weeks WWE Hall of Fame speech. I mean The guy gave my DDP YOGA a shout out like four times during his speech simply because he was happy it was helping people and obviously he didn't have to do that. It just goes to show the man he was. What hurts is the fact that I couldn't say thank you to him for it. I went looking for him but couldn't find him. I wanted to call him but never got the chance. That's the Warrior that I wanted to discuss on her show. However, it's clear I was ambushed. Everyone has been asking me what would I say to Nancy Grace now after she had me on. The answer is easy. I don't need to say a word. Look on all the social media sites, the fans are saying it all!! I will not change who I am because of the way others act. Its just not me. However lesson learned."
Grace, who recently left HLN, appeared on The Jim & Sam Show with Jim Norton and Sam Roberts earlier today and walked out of the interview after a heated exchange. Roberts, who is a big wrestling fan, brought up Nancy's interview with DDP. The exchange that followed went like this:
Roberts: You took a lot of heat too, for the report you did when The Ultimate Warrior died and you brought on DDP the wrestler, and you were talking about wrestlers dying of steroids and drug overdoses, things like that. When steroids weren't involved in The Ultimate Warrior's death...
Grace: No they were not.
Roberts: And on the people you listed, you listed a whole bunch of wrestlers that had died before they were 40. Some of the wrestlers you listed, one of them had fallen from the ceiling, one of them had been shot, there were all these guys, all these names...
Grace: I don't think it was ever said that those guys died from steroid overdose.
Roberts: No, but you said that there's...
Grace: Early deaths and untimely deaths in wrestling history.
Roberts: But you established the argument that there's drug abuse and steroids, then you said... here's a list of wrestlers that died young. So you didn't say that's why they died...
Grace: I really believe that professional wrestlers are not protected. I think everybody gets a big kick out of watching them and whether the wrestling is real or not, people love watching it. I think that those wrestlers, those women and men that go in the ring are not protected. I don't think anybody is ever looking out for them and I think that they are used badly.
Roberts: So if that was your intention and of course I can believe you on that, you're telling me that, what goes through your mind when a lot of wrestlers see your report and come back at you with venom, saying you're not representing us, you're not telling our story and what you're portraying isn't happening.
Last night on WWE Raw Paul Heyman challenged Bill Goldberg to fight Brock Lesnar anytime, anywhere in WWE.
Goldberg subsequently posted the following on Twitter, noting he will be on WWE Raw next week to respond to the challenge:
Booking my flight to answer that big mouth @HeymanHustle 's challenge next week in person on #MondayNightRaw #WhosNext? #seeyathere @WWE
— Bill Goldberg (@Goldberg) October 11, 2016
Alberto Del Rio, who said on Monday he has adopted the name Alberto "El Presidente" Rodriguez, told ESPN.com that he believes Paige has been treated unfairly by WWE.
"It's just like she said in her statement this afternoon," Rodriguez said. "It's just the same s---, different day my friend."
Rodriguez also brushed off online chatter that WWE was trying to break the couple apart.
"To be honest, I don't care what they say or what they try to do," Rodriguez said. "We are together and we are happy. I know a lot of people are not happy but regardless of whatever people say, we can be happy. We can be together. And we are going to stay together because we are happy.
"If someone is not comfortable or happy about it, we just don't care. We are going to continue our life. Our families are happy and we're happy. That's all that matters."
Last week, Wrestling Observer Radio reported that Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for the WWE RAW Women's Title at Hell In a Cell would take place inside the Cell structure. Sasha issued a Cell challenge on tonight's RAW and the challenge was accepted. This is the first-ever Cell match for the women's division.
As noted, WWE announced today that Paige has been suspended for 60 days due to her second violation of the company Wellness Policy. Paige's father, UK promoter Ricky Knight, took to his Facebook page and revealed that Paige had been prescribed painkillers to help her deal with a long-term neck injury. He wrote:
"ok here we go again yes i know about my daughters suspended once again she has not failed a drugs test.
My daughter has had a long term neck injury which imo has not been dealt with. i have ask my daughter to return to UK For help with this injury as help and direction in the USA Has not been forthcoming imo. She has been in pain and out of in ring action for a fair while now and has been prescribed pain killers which apparently is against the wellness program. i feel my daughter has been let down big time in the USA and the proper care and advice needed in the position she has been in has not happened to say i am pissed off with the situation is an understatement, this is my statement i am not open to questions thankyou for your cooperation."
Paige's mother Saraya Knight responded on her Facebook page and said she wishes Paige would just come home to the UK. She added:
"sometimes letting out a scream just doesn't sound loud enough, banging your head against a wall doesn't reach the spot, closing down emotionally causes inner demons to surface, asking for help creates rumours, being in a sea of people but being alone, sometimes life just sucks..."
From WWE.com:
WWE has suspended Saraya-Jade Bevis (Paige) for 60 days effective immediately, for her second violation of the company’s talent wellness policy.
Paige said the following on Twitter:
“Same sh** different day. Kids..Please don’t get prescriptions or doctors notes. Not acceptable. Rules apply depending on your status.”
F4WOnline.com is confirming earlier reports of Becky Lynch being removed from the WWE No Mercy pay-per-view, citing an undisclosed injury as the reason for the change.
First reported by James McKenna of Pro Wrestling Sheet, Lynch was said to be 100% off the PPV card tomorrow and may miss the rest of the month. F4WOnline.com said the injury remains unknown and WWE and Lynch have not publicly commented on the matter, and cited Randy Orton’s injury (which coincidentally McKenna originally confirmed) keeping him from competing on the WWE Backlash card last month as a similar situation.
WWE sent out an interesting survey about the WWE Network, via Yahoo! News. They are looking at having a four tiered system, which would include a free tier. One of the more interesting items is that the fourth tier would have "access to independent wrestling such as TNA and Ring of Honor." Please note that this is just a survey, and nothing is official yet.
There have been reports of WWE purchasing TNA for their video library for a while now. Jim Ross talked about reports of WWE buying the TNA video library on the latest episode of The Ross Report earlier this week, and noted that WWE was interested in buying only the video library, and not the promotion.
"Right now we hear that WWE and TNA have had talks regarding WWE buying the library, and that that deal is imminent," Ross said.
Here are some interested items from the survey regarding the four tiers:
* A free tier system would allow you to watch all video clips (less than 5 minutes each), 5 hours of video archives (including live events 30 days after they air), and you would be able to watch it on all devices.
* For the second tier $4.99 / month plan, you would be able to get the "Big Four" pay-per-view events (WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and SummerSlam) and pre-recorded weekly NXT episodes. It would only play on phone and tablet devices.
* They noted that there would be "new weekly Cruiserweight Classic" episodes on the third tier ($9.99 / month) and top tier ($14.99 / month).
* For the top tier at $14.99 / month, you would receive early event ticket access, Hall of Fame voting, offline content downloads and small group online chats. There will also be "Deluxe Fan Perks" like second screen content and invites to in-person VIP meet-ups. The top tier is also the only plan to feature no commercials.
At the bottom of the survey it asks, "If there plans were truly available, would you subscribe to the one selected above?"
WWE Superstars 'The Hype Bros' Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder recently sat down for an interview earlier this week to promote SmackDown Live in San Diego. In the interview Rawley discusses his relationship with NFL tight end for the New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski, Ryder discusses winning the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania last year, and taking a picture with Scott Hall holding his title. You can check out some highlights here:
Rawley on Rob Gronkowski possibly stepping into the WWE ring:
"The main man Robbie G. Well I played college football with a couple of his brothers, his older brothers Dan and Chris, we all kind of grew up together. We all came up together, we've all been on the grind for a very long time. Trust me we've had that conversation many times and he's dying to get in the ring. I can tell you it won't be while he's in season."
In the continuing story of Alberto Del Rio allegedly being stabbed in San Antonio, the latest twist to the story involves Del Rio’s real life girlfriend and WWE Superstar Paige. Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer also claims to have had a story involving her in the incident relayed to him. The report notes that Del Rio and the man went to the ground while the man was still stabbing at Del Rio. At that point Paige got involved in the altercation and was thrown by the suspect. Del Rio then went to check on her and that’s when the knife wielding attacker took off in his car.
The Record in Mexico spoke with Del Rio following the incident, and Del Rio claims he and Paige were actually attacked by a “drunken homeless man” in the parking lot of a restaurant. While the rest of the story is in line with other reports, the couple claims the man left on foot when Del Rio went to check on Paige after she was assaulted.
As we reported yesterday, Pro Wrestling Sheet editor Ryan Satin says he had spoken with San Antonio police since the alleged assault took place, and was told “they had no stabbing incidents” in the area “all weekend”. PWInsider is reporting that the San Antonio Police Department has just one stabbing in their jurisdiction on October 2nd and Del Rio is not listed as the victim. It should be noted there are several smaller municipalities within the city that are not in their jurisdiction, plus the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
According to PWInsider.com and officials at the Carbon County Courthouse, WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch waived her Gagnon 1 hearing in regards to the State’s petition to revoke her probation/parole this past Monday.
Consequently, Sytch will remain incarcerated at Carbon County Prison until a Gagnon 2 hearing is scheduled. During that hearing Sytch will go before the presiding Judge to determine whether or not she is in violation of her probation/parole. At that point, Sytch may be re-sentenced to additional time or other penalties.
Planeta Wrestling has a great interview with former WCW and WWE star Bill DeMott. You can check out some highlights here below:
We have a Hall of Famer like Bret Hart taking on Seth Rollins and saying that he is a dangerous performer regarding his matches with John Cena, Sting or Finn Balor. What do you think about these accusations?
"I would not even try to compare my knowledge to Bret Hart nor would I question his thinking, that being said I do not think it is anything more than coincidence that all this happened around Seth. Rollins is one of the best there is and I would put my career in his hands any day. Things happen people get hurt and someone has to get "blamed" unfortunately it doesn't always end in favor of both participants but I would bet anything ALL of this men would get back in the ring with Seth and he is a professional as they get. He is the future of the business."
Would you return to WWE?
"I would without a doubt go back to WWE, I'm not one to pull punches and talk crap about it. I would love to be part of the WWE in some way shape or form. I still have a lot to give and I'm loyal to who is loyal to me."
There’s a baby Bella on board.
Just hours before the premiere of E!’s Total Bellas, Brie Bella confirmed she and husband Daniel Bryan are expecting their first child in Spring 2017 in an interview with E! News.
“It has always been a dream of mine to become a mother,” Brie told E! News. “Now that it is finally real, it fills me up with so much happiness.”
The couple has had an eye toward parenthood for some time. Brie retired from in-ring competition after WrestleMania 32 to focus on starting a family, and Bryan cited his desire to have children as partial motivation for his own retirement earlier this year as well.
“The day we found out, I just couldn’t stop smiling. We are so excited to be parents,” said Bryan. “Every time I look at Brie’s stomach, I’m amazed that there is a little life in there.”
The Total Bellas stars have also revealed they do not know the baby’s gender.
“I can’t wait to see my husband, Bryan, be a father to our child,” Brie added. “I am so excited for this new chapter in our lives.”
WWE announced today that Total Divas will return to E! on Wednesday, November 16th at 8pm EST. E! just issued the following announcement on the sixth season:
LOS ANGELES, CA - October 5, 2016 - E!, WWE(R) and Bunim-Murray Productions' "Total Divas" returns for its fiery sixth season onWednesday, November 16 at 8pm ET/PT. Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eva Marie, Naomi (Trinity), Natalya (Nattie) and Paige will continue to give viewers an inside glimpse at the non-stop action of their professional careers and the drama of their everyday lives. In addition, season six will introduce fans to WWE Superstars Lana and Maryse and WWE announcer Renee Young.
This season, emotions are at an all-time high as all of the ladies come face-to-face with adversity and must grapple with separating their real life dilemmas from their in-ring careers. While rehabilitating an injury, Nikki Bella is determined to learn an entirely new style of performing in order to make a comeback and, against her sister Brie's wishes, she asks her recently retired brother-in-law Daniel Bryan(R) to coach her. While Brie might not agree with Nikki's decision to train with Daniel, she is plagued with her own difficult decision of retiring atWrestleMania 32 in order to start a family.
Despite how hard she has worked, Eva Marie is left confused about where she stands in her WWE career when she isn't scheduled for any television matches following WrestleMania 32. Now she has to cope with the possibility that her once red-hot career in WWE could be fizzling out. Nattie gets a shot to go for the WWE Women's Championship title, but the crowd doesn't know how to react to her new villain persona after years of being known as the good girl. She has to pull out all the stops to try and save her storyline. While Paige, who is dealing with an injury this season, Eva and Nattie are all going through major challenges with their respective careers, Trinity lands a role in WWE's newest film, The Marine 5: Battleground, where she will star as a biker assassin.
New cast member Lana is in full swing with the planning of her over-the-top circus-themed Malibu wedding to fellow WWE Superstar Rusev(R), but cultural differences within their families start to cause a rift when it's discovered that the nuptials will not be held in his native country of Bulgaria. WWE announcer Renee Young joins this season and takes on the role of mediator as she tries to help the group with their issues in and out of the ring, all while juggling her romantic relationship with WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose(R). Finally, all hell breaks loose when former two-time WWE Divas Champion and wife of WWE Superstar Mike "The Miz(R)" Mizanin, Maryse makes an unexpected return to WWE after a five-year absence. With all of the women longing to stake their claim as the top contender for the Women's Championship, Maryse worries that even as a returning veteran she will have to reestablish herself with the fans and in the locker room. She knows in order to be the top woman in WWE, it's not about being better than you were yesterday; it's about being the best, period.
Season six of E!'s hit "Total Divas" returns on Wednesday, November 16 at 8pm ET/PT. "Total Bellas" E!'s highly anticipated spinoff of "Total Divas" premieres tonight at 8pm ET/PT on E!
According to a Twitter post from pro wrestling journalist Justin LaBar, it has been officially confirmed that WWE will be purchasing TNA Wrestling's video library, according to a text message that LaBar says he received today.
In the meantime, LaBar also cites the same text message in stating that Billy Corgan, who is the current President of TNA Wrestling, will become the company's new majority owner and will "likely rebrand" the organization.
Below is LaBar's post from his official Twitter page:
Just got a text saying #WWE to buy TNA video library & Billy Corgan is going to be new majority owner of TNA that he'll likely rebrand. Wow!
Forbes.com has also picked up on the story as well, posting the following quote from WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross's "Ross Report" podcast from earlier this week, in which he stated that WWE was "very close" to purchasing TNA Wrestling's video library:
"WWE is allegedly very close to buying the TNA library. Not the promotion, the TNA library. Obviously, with WWE Network, the TNA library could be a nice resource, a nice asset. Now, you know, TNA does have some talents I’m sure WWE would like to have down the road, but now I hear that WWE and TNA have had talks about buying the library and that a deal is imminent."
As seen below, the brackets have been revealed for the WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
The tournament kicks off on tonight's NXT episode and ends at "Takeover: Toronto" on November 19th during Survivor Series weekend.
* TM-61 vs. Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss
* Austin Aries and his mystery partner vs. Niko Bogojevic and Tucker Knight
* Hideo Itami and Kota Ibushi vs. Lince Dorado and Mustafa Ali
* Tye Dillinger and Bobby Roode vs. Sanity
* The Authors of Pain vs. The Bollywood Boyz
* No Way Jose and Rich Swann vs. Tony Nese and Drew Gulak
* NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival vs. Cedric Alexander and Andrade "Cien" Almas
* Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano vs. Bin Wang and Ho Ho Lun
According to PWInsider.com, TNA Chairman Dixie Carter held a talent meeting backstage at last night’s TNA Impact Wrestling tapings. During the meeting, Carter took questions from the talents, and addressed a number of current issues.
One of the questions asked by talents regarded late pay, and Carter explained that sometimes pay is late because TNA is waiting on money owed to the company so that they can pay out the talents.
On reports of WWE potentially purchasing TNA, Carter acknowledged WWE wanted to purchase the company, but she said she would not let that happen. She added the TNA tape library is still under TNA ownership.
Carter also reaffirmed that she is still the majority share holder in TNA, but she did say there has been some “in-fighting” and power struggle amongst company owners.
With regards to Bound for Glory, Carter admitted the company “scrambled” leading up to the PPV, but said the PPV was never “not going to happen.”
Overall, Carter reportedly acted surprised that people in TNA were so “up in arms” about the status of the company, but she did apologize if there has been concern or worry on behalf of talents and employees. At the end of the day, the general feeling in the locker room is that while there remains concern regarding the future of the company, there was respect for Carter stepping up and addressing the locker room.
Last night in New Haven, Connecticut, Judge Vanessa L. Bryant of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut ordered that the most recent concussion lawsuit filed against WWE, Laurinaitis v. WWE - which features Road Warrior Animal as the lead plaintiff and also has over 50 former talent on board - must be consolidated with all other existing lawsuits against the company.
The only two plaintiffs that are left in the existing lawsuit are Evan Singleton and Vito LoGrasso, and the case is officially known as McCullough v. WWE back from when it was consolidated with the lawsuit previously filed by Russ McCullough that has since been dismissed.
Additionally, WWE is also seeking to have the WWE Network royalties lawsuit filed by Marcus "Buff" Bagwell and Scott "Raven" Levy consolidated with the other lawsuits as well since, in addition to head injuries, the Laurinaitis v. WWE lawsuit also addresses royalties and legality issues regarding WWE contracts.
This is being seen as a big victory for WWE, and the company also had a similar victory last week as well when an appellate court ruled that appeals from plaintiffs regarding some of the dismissed lawsuits wouldn't be able to proceed until Judge Bryant issued a ruling on issues in the consolidated cases.
Bill Goldberg will be the guest on this week’s Off the Top Rope segment hosted by Jonathan Coachman on ESPN. During the segment, Goldberg will be discussing WWE 2K17 and his current relationship with WWE.
According to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com and Wrestling Observer Radio, Goldberg and WWE are said to be in very serious talks about a potential Goldberg WWE return, and a deal might already have been completed. Meltzer added a return to WWE TV could be soon for the former WWE and WCW Champion as talks between both sides are at a “very strong discussion stage” at worst.
The following statement was issued on the social media accounts for Alberto Del Rio, reporting the reason he missed last night’s AAA event in Mexico was because he was stabbed outside of a restaurant and was unable to make his flight:
Mr. Rodriguez (“Alberto El Patron”) shortly after eating a meal before his flight was assaulted by a criminal with a knife outside the restaurant. Mr. Rodriguez suffered multiple lacerations on his arm and other parts of his body defending against the criminal as Police were called by witnesses. Mr. Rodriguez received medical attention and went back to the Police Department and was unable to make his flight. Mr. Rodriguez has spoken with the ownership of Lucha Libre AAA World Wide and given them documentation of the incident. Mr. Rodriguez greatly regrets not being there yesterday for his fans in Mexico and promises to everyone he will make this up as soon as possible. Despite the graphic lacerations Mr. Rodriguez will not miss any of his shows for the remainder of the year and is ready to compete this weekend in the UK.
According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, Tough Enough season six winner Sara Lee has reportedly been released by the WWE .
There are currently no details as to why the reported release took place other than that Sara received the news on Friday. Sara did reveal via Facebook that she expecting a child in May 2017 with fellow NXT Superstar Welsey Blake.
Sara Lee was crowned the female winner of season six of WWE’s revised Tough Enough back in August of last year alongside Josh “The Yeti” Bredl.
Aside from a few appearances at NXT Live house show events, Sara never made any appearances on NXT television.
There has not been very much news coming out of TNA since they announced that Bound For Glory would be taking place on Sunday night as scheduled. The questions we should be asking now are who funded the pay-per-view and the upcoming tapings and is this just a one time fix or has Dixie Carter made a deal to sell the company outright?
Dave Meltzer says that there will be an internal meeting on Sunday to address the future of the company. Several questions will be answered and hopefully, the concerns of the wrestlers and backstage crew will be addressed at long last.
